Max Verstappen, the current Formula 1 World Champion, has spoken highly of his former teammate Daniel Ricciardo, citing the valuable lessons he learned from the Australian driver during their time together at Red Bull Racing.
Verstappen and Ricciardo were teammates at Red Bull from 2016 to 2018, and despite their on-track rivalry, they developed a strong relationship off the track. Verstappen has often spoken about the respect he has for Ricciardo, and in a recent interview, he revealed that he learned some important lessons from his former teammate.
“I think Daniel was a great teammate,” Verstappen said. “We had our moments on the track, but off the track, we got along really well. He taught me a lot about how to approach the sport, how to be professional, and how to deal with the pressure.”
One of the key lessons Verstappen learned from Ricciardo was the importance of staying calm under pressure. Ricciardo was known for his laid-back and relaxed approach to racing, and Verstappen has adopted a similar mindset in recent years.
“I think Daniel was always very good at staying calm and focused, even when things weren’t going well,” Verstappen said. “He taught me that it’s okay to make mistakes, and that you can’t get too worked up about things. That’s something that has helped me a lot in my career.”
Verstappen also credited Ricciardo with teaching him the importance of teamwork and communication. During their time together at Red Bull, the two drivers worked closely with the team to develop the car and improve their performance.
“Daniel was always very good at working with the team and communicating with the engineers,” Verstappen said. “He taught me the importance of being open and honest with the team, and how to work together to achieve a common goal.”
Overall, Verstappen’s time with Ricciardo at Red Bull was a valuable learning experience that has helped shape him into the driver he is today. Despite their on-track rivalry, the two drivers developed a strong relationship off the track, and Verstappen will always be grateful for the lessons he learned from his former teammate.
